Courtesy photo .. Maura VanNess (r) and Kate Brougham shop at the 2012 Purse Party fundraiser sponsored by the Duvall Civic Club. The event benefits a women’s transitional shelter in Duvall and LifeWire’s programs for women in crisis.If somewhere in your dresser drawers you still have that necklace Aunt Ida gave you for your birthday all those years ago or that faux alligator purse you never use, here’s your chance to put them to good use.

On Thursday, September 26, the Duvall Civic Club will host a "Purse Party and Jewelry Jazz" event to benefit local women in crisis. It will be held at Match Coffee and Wine in Duvall from 5 to 8 p.m.

"The Duvall Civic Club is sponsoring this event for the second year to provide much-needed holiday money to individual women at the Acres of Diamonds transitional shelter," Civic Club President Judi Chapman explained. "Proceeds will also go to benefit the housing voucher program at Lifewire (formerly Eastside Domestic Violence) and other women’s issues in the Valley."

Donations of both jewelry and purses are needed. "We’re asking everyone to dig through their jewelry boxes and closets for those treasures we all have but don’t use," event organizer Maura VanNess said. "They can really do some good for women in need."

If you have jewelry, purses, or totes (in good condition) to donate, you can drop them off anytime from now to the day of the event, at Match Coffee and Wine (15705 Main Street, open Tuesday through Saturday).

At the event, you will be able to bid in the silent auction on jewelry, purses, and totes and enjoy specially-priced wine or coffee with other people from the area. (Food will also be available for purchase.) Bids will be taken starting at 5 p.m. the day of the fundraiser, with bidding to close at 7:30 p.m. (You or someone for you must be present to claim your winning bids.)

Funds from the Purse Party will also help sponsor the fifth annual Walk 4 Women, on Saturday, October 5 beginning at 10 a.m. in Duvall’s McCormick Park Depot.

The Walk is a 13.2-mile half marathon, open to anyone who wants to walk or run the whole way, just a short distance, anything in-between.

For more information about the Purse Party and Jewelry Jazz event or the Walk 4 Women, see duvallcivicclub.org or call Maura at (425) 788-9249 or Barb at (425) 788-5769.

If you’d like to make a financial donation to help these women in need, send your donation to Duvall Civic Club, P.O. Box 315, Duvall, WA 98019 and notate your check "Walk 4 Women."

The Duvall Civic Club meets the second Wednesday of every month, except July and August, in the downstairs of the old Duvall Library building. Visitors and new members are always welcome.

Barb Olsen is a local writer and columnist who writes regularly about community events and about the Washington state Legislature.